Diary of a Wimpy Kid proved that illustrated, diary-format books could dominate bestseller lists. Greg Heffley's misadventures in middle school are hilarious and painfully relatable. These series deliver the same laughs with their own spin.
Both feature a supremely confident kid who constantly overestimates himself. Peirce's comic-strip background means Big Nate is even more visually driven than Wimpy Kid.
Both use the illustrated diary format to tell school-life stories. Dork Diaries skews slightly toward girls but the humor and cringe-comedy beats are the same.
Both use hand-drawn illustrations throughout the text and follow a kid muddling through school life. Pichon's art style is busier and more colorful, and the humor is distinctly British.
Both feature a delusional kid narrator who sees himself as the hero of his own story. Pastis brings his Pearls Before Swine comic sensibility - dry, absurd, and surprisingly smart.
Both follow a trouble-prone kid through school chaos. Patterson's thriller instincts keep the pacing tight, and the illustrations on nearly every page make these especially accessible for reluctant readers.